Snack Recipes

Though my intention in making these mini bruschetta was to provide a healthy and appealing snack for kids, they aren't the only ones who'll enjoy these tasty treats! My husband Lulu, who at times acts like a kid himself, greatly appreciated them too. But really, who could resist garlic-rubbed toasted bread topped with a mixture of chopped ripe tomatoes, fresh garlic, fresh basil, black pepper and extra-virgin olive oil? All you really need are fresh, quality ingredients and little helpers to assemble them!

This is another recipe that I prepared with Lilea from California Lavash a while back. If you'd like to try some delicious bread from California Lavash, Pham Fatale will be hosting a giveaway soon. Stay tuned!

A few weeks ago, fresh rambutans were on sale for only $0.69 a pound and we bought several pounds. I figured flight tickets to Vietnam are so expensive, it wouldn't be so bad to splurge on the tropical fruits instead of a trip to Asia!They're called chôm chôm in Vietnamese. After a few bags, my family eventually got sick of them, so I ended up making fruit purée and storing it in the freezer. I already had in mind a specific drink recipe I would make. I prepared a flavorful but healthy drink with a vibrant green color. In addition to the rambutans, I used spinach, kiwis, lemon and lime juice.

The result was delicious. I loved the acidic taste of the kiwis, lime and lemon that balanced so well with the sweetness from the rambutan purée.

The drink is a blend of strawberries, raspberries, kiwis, peanuts and vanilla extract. The fruit gives you an instant energy boost, and the protein in the peanuts will keep you going longer than your average smoothie. It's a delicious and healthy way to start the day!

Che Thai is a Vietnamese interpretation of a Thai dessert. It's made of a combination of coconut milk, half and half and pandan flavorings. This makes the base of the dessert, the rest is up to you. I usually add whatever I have available; it can be fresh jackfruit, longans, lychees, pomegranate seeds or agar agar jelly.

I have a funny anecdote about this dessert. When I first introduced it to my husband's family, everyone was very pleased and surprised by how refreshing it tasted, especially Lulu's uncle, Ibbu Mamu. It was a really hot summer day and I can still picture him, eating cup after cup of che Thai. At some point, he asked for the recipe. "Jackie, I love this dessert, it's so light and refreshing". After I listed off the ingredients though, he kind of freaked out, seeing as he had just polished off two very large cups!

This drink is made with mango purée, orange juice and a banana. The banana gives a smooth texture to the drink; cooked mung beans add protein and tie the flavors together.

I've read that eating breakfast is one of the keys to successfully losing weight. Since I've been waking up at the wee hours of the morning to work out for 45 minutes before starting the day, I want to stack the deck in my favor. A protein shake is the perfect choice for me because I'm not very big on breakfast (unless it's crêpes!).